Everywhere Ugo...
The young Frenchman is struggling to come to terms with what he achieved in Auckland. David Long reports.
21-year-old Frenchman Ugo Humbert forced his way past compatriot Benoit Paire 7-6 3-6 7-6 in a thrilling, epic and fiery final to seal his maiden ATP tournament win at the ASB Classic in Auckland yesterday.
ASB Classic winner Ugo Humbert claimed it was a ‘‘tournament of revenge’’ for him in Auckland this week as he won his maiden ATP title.
The 21-year-old Frenchman defeated his compatriot Benoit Paire 7-6 3-6 7-6 in a thrilling final yesterday and it’s a victory that’s a significant milestone on the rise of the young Frenchman, who is clearly destined for great things.
This wasn’t an easy title for him. He’s had to play tough opponents throughout the week, but has been able to knock off some of the biggest names in the sport.
He recorded good wins in the past, but has never done it consistently enough throughout a week to win a title before.
Not only that, but he was able to get wins against players who’ve beaten him in the past.
‘‘I’m really proud because it was a tournament of revenge,’’ Humbert said.
‘‘I’ve lost against four of the five players I’ve played this week.
‘‘Against [Casper] Ruud, [John] Isner, [Denis] Shapovalov and Benoit, so it’s meant a lot to me.
‘‘I don’t know if I’ve realised what I did today,’’ he added, ‘‘but I’m extremely happy about my first ATP title.’’
Humbert had a 3-0 lead in the first set and was up 4-1 in the third, but each time Paire fought back, including saving a championship point in the third set. Humbert needed great mental strength to win the third set tiebreak 7-5.
‘‘It wasn’t easy in my head,’’ Humbert said.
‘‘I had a match point on his serve. I know I can do it better on the passing shot, but I was calm after this point. I just wanted to play each point one by one and I did a great tiebreak in the third set.’’
A year ago Paire was criticised for a woeful performance against Cameron Norrie in the first round of the Classic.
He was jet lagged and fell asleep during one change of ends, then applauded Norrie for breaking his serve, in a game where he double faulted twice.
New Zealand tennis fans’ opinion of him then was woefully low, but after this year’s tournament he’s firmly established himself as a crowd favourite and everyone one at yesterday’s final loved him.
‘‘Not everybody, I saw one or two who hate me!,’’ he joked afterwards while drinking a glass of Moet & Chandon.
‘‘But to be honest, it was a good week and I enjoyed it a lot.
‘‘This tournament is one of the best of the year, it’s full for the whole week and that’s nice.
‘‘I really enjoyed playing here. Last year it wasn’t easy coming from Pune [India] to play here and the tournament director put me to play on Monday at 12pm,’’ he said laughing and looking at Karl Budge, who smiled back.
‘‘But this year was good, I enjoyed it a lot.’’
Paire was disappointed at losing – it would have been his first ATP hardcourt title – but at the same time he was content that he played well and also that he showed fight in matches, something he hasn’t always done. ‘‘It’s good for him,’’ Paire said of Humbert. ‘‘It’s the first time in a final and he’s won a title. He’s a good friend, honestly he’s playing very well since the beginning of the week and he deserves this title. I tried everything, I tried to fight, to come back and I did it well, so that’s why I’m happy, because I enjoyed it with the people.
‘‘I enjoyed seeing the people in the crowd drinking beer, drinking wine, Champagne.
‘‘Honestly, it’s good to see that because at tournaments it’s not like this every time.’’
Paire showed this week that he has the potential to be a top 10 player, if he sets his mind to it.
For Humbert, the world’s his oyster and it’s possible that he could become the first French player since Yannick Noah to win at Roland Garros.
Admittedly, that’s a big call at this stage of his career, but he does represent France’s best chance of winning their own grand
‘‘I don’t know if I’ve realised what I did today. But I’m extremely happy about my first ATP title.’’
slam for the first time in 27 years.
‘‘I know him,’’ Paire said of Humbert.
‘‘He’s young, he’s good, he’s going to win some titles. He played very good tennis and I’m very happy for him.
‘‘Honestly, for sure I’m sad to lose this match, but when you fight and do everything you can, even when you lose, that’s the most important thing, to fight.’’